HMO Guide for Seniors - Office of the Patient Advocate - State of ...

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Hospital Care
F
or some care, you need to stay in a hospital. This is
called inpatient care. In most cases, your doctor must
refer you for hospital care.
Hospital Costs
Hospital costs vary. For example, in one Medicare HMO,
you may pay $500 for each hospital stay, no matter how long
you stay. In another HMO, you may pay $200 per day for
the first 5 days of a hospital stay and nothing more even if
you stay longer.
Visitors are
important. If a
relative or friend
helps watch out
for you in the
hospital, you’ll
probably get
better care.
Hospital Discharge Appeals
Your hospital must give you an “Important Message from
Medicare” 2 days before they plan to discharge you. This
message tells you how to file an appeal if you feel too sick to
go home. To file an appeal, call HSAG as soon as possible.
Or have someone call for you. HSAG will decide if you can
stay longer. You do not have to pay for the extra days in the
hospital while HSAG reviews your case.
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